United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a message on the Olympic Truce for the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games called on all conflicting parties to observe the truce during the 2018 games.

In his message, Guterres called the Olympic games as an opportunity to boost human solidarity, according to a press release of the UN Information Center (UNIC) in Tehran, according to IRNA.

Full text of the message is as follows:

This week the world will gather in PyeongChang in the Republic of Korea, united by the Olympic spirit: in solidarity, mutual respect and friendly competition.

The Olympics and Paralympics showcase the best of the world’s athletic achievements and the best of humanity.

The Olympic Truce, which dates back to Ancient Greece, allows for the safe travel of athletes and spectators, and demands peace among participants during the period when the games take place. Its fundamental message is that our common humanity can transcend political differences. This ideal has more resonance than ever on the Korean Peninsula.

I call on all parties to conflict to observe the Olympic Truce during the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Let the Olympic flame shine as a beacon to human solidarity. Let the Olympic Truce help spread a culture of peace.